A beginning of a new year

Please excuse my absent here for some time, but in real life I was overwhelming with eight to six classes to attend on every weekend, a whole week of practical training in school and the classes I have to conduct and teach. oh, it was a really full and busy year ending prior to a new beginning of a new year. But what I can be sure of is these are the things that I love, would like to do, still doing and will keep doing.

I get to meet and make many new friends, ideas are shared, and pass on what we want the learners to learn in new ways. The kids were asking :"Cikgu, boleh kami ambil benda dalam kotak tu?" ("Teacher can we take the things in the box?") I said: "Of course, ambillah, tapi, lepas guna kena letak dalam kotak balik, boleh?" ("Of course, please take it, but you have to put it back into the box after use, can?") Oh my gosh, I love to see children play and learn on their own using my teaching material in a non classroom setting. It's a very good habit for the learners and at the same time very motivating for me. This is what I want to see! It's a beautiful sight.

We have an extended of a week of school holidays due to the massive flood in some other states. Thus, it provides an extra time for me to sew new bags and cases for the kids right for them to use when school starts. I have one done, and intend to make a few more. I hope all of us would have a good start towards this new year and everything is a smooth sail, healthy and happy 2015!

Kids weekend activity

It's weekend. I reintroduced one of their favorites play - play tent.
As soon as the play tent is being set-up, the kids realized that it needed a 'door'. Without wasting much time, I quickly gathered up all the fabrics needed for that particular 'door panel'. da...da...that little quilt cover is their 'door' now. One little funny thing was that they even waited patiently whilst the mom works her magic out to construct their 'door' in the middle of the night. The easy-to-satisfy kids are amazed and feel very delighted over the new addition to their hide away. The younger one even proclaimed this and saying "Luckily we have one very genius person in this house!" When I asked further who is the person, then he says: "You lah..." hmmm.....I've been doing all these; caring, tendering...them, why is this gesture caught so much of their attention...I'm puzzled...Whatever it is, as long as they are happy, I'm happy too.

Details further to the above, that hide away means has many of their loves - pillows, blankets, softy bears, books and etc, but also not forgetting their torch!

Have a great weekend, friends!

Ribbons pillow

Recent made - kids pillow with ribbons.
Wanting to have this cotton animal print seen everywhere (which I love), I sewed a smaller pillow case to be paired with this pillow (below). I think with these two lovely softies, it's cozy enough either for kids afternoon nap or bring along in the car.

Besides this, I upcycled a lace top for the shop.

Sewing has been slow recently, as kids are advancing in their grades level, I'm putting more time to coach and tutor them more academically. Having said that, I'll have to squeeze time out of busyness to keep the creative juice flowing in handmade.

Hello 2013

I was being very productive in the new year eve for sewing til midnight - welcoming 2013. Managed to get some of the stationery ready for the beginning of new schooling year which will start soon. Also made some extras for orders from teacher friends this new art brush case in denim jeans.
What have you made or planning to make?

Another Vintage Japanese robe for toddler

I keep my hands busy with a few sewing projects in my craft room, the above toddler's Japanese robe had just completed this afternoon and can't wait to show it to you here. This is one of my favourite picks from local fabric shop hubby Jim brought me over during the weekend. I like to incorporate colorful flower motif fabric into my sewing projects mainly because I hope it would cheer you up a little. sincerely. and most of the time I usually will wear this type of pleasant looking clothes. come on, we ought to influence people with positive and 'yang' energy than the opposite one, don't we?
I remembered that I told a Japanese ex-colleague of mine this: "In life there is up and down, when you fall just dusk off the dusk and pick yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day and you still will see the sun shine...".
Say this - EMiToFo

New Baby's Japanese robe

This week, I finished another piece of Baby's Japanese robe, for baby age 12-18 mo. Well the previous one has been given to my friend's baby. I think his mom is more excited than the baby who is wearing it. This project is so fun to make and the outcome is so so satisfying.

What is your latest sewing project, friends? Do share.